Chris Dawson praises Neil Redfearn after Rotherham move

Rotherham United have signed former Leeds United midfielder Chris Dawson on an 18-month contract and the player has been speaking to their official website about the switch.

The 21-year-old announced he was leaving Elland Road earlier this week and it has not taken him long to find a new club.

That is no surprise given his undeniable talent; after all he was once regarded as the most exciting player in his age-group at Leeds, but injuries and a managerial merry-go-round at Elland Road did not help his development and he ultimately left with six months left on his contract.

Rotherham manager Neil Redfearn knows Dawson well from their time together at Leeds and it was the 50-year-old who gave the youngster three of his four appearances for the Whites prior to his exit.

Speaking to themillers.co.uk on Thursday, Dawson said, “I’m really happy and looking forward to a new challenge and a fresh start and hopefully I can kick my career off here.”

The Welshman then wait on to praise Redfearn’s influence on his decision, adding, “He puts a lot of belief in you and lets you know that you’re a good player and at the same time, when you’re not playing well, he gets behind you and that’s what you need as a young player going forward so I’m really excited to be here.”

Dawson’s career has certainly not gone according to plan thus far, and it was baffling to some why he was left waiting in the wings when Leeds gave chances to so many of his young teammates.

Some Leeds supporters feel Dawson is too lightweight for the Championship, but whatever the reason for his stagnation he now has the chance to prove the doubters wrong.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. He has worked for HITC for four years and is now Head of Editorial and Journalist Standards.